LED BY Kathleen Fung and national guide Ms. Tomomi A, known for her depth of knowledge, charming humor, and organizational skills. Renowned artisans give insights into their art: Suzanne Ross, master lacquerware artisan recognized by the Japanese government as the unofficial ambassador for Urushi; Mrs. Sayoko Matsueda and Hiroko Matsueda, award-winning masters of Kurume Kasuri weaving and indigo dyeing; Koko Yakayama Seagren, curator of the Adachi Wood Block Institute in Tokyo. And in Kyoto, we visit with an acclaimed designer, weaver and dyer.

In Kanazawa Suzanne Ross, a national treasure, invites us to her studio for an introduction to Urushi, which has a 9,000-year history.
In Fukui we drop into the 13th-century Eihei-ji Temples where 180 monks meditate, eat, and sleep on a small tatami mat measuring only three by six feet.

We’ve added Shikoku located on the shore of the Seto Inland Sea where we spend three nights at Takamatsu with its splendid Ritsurin Koen, a vast 185-acre Japanese garden dating back to the 17th century.

A full day trip to Naoshima introduces us to the remarkable collection of art that first started as a pumpkin that appeared on the island pier. The island transformed itself into something new...and now boasts artwork from Claude Monet, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria to the steel, glass, and wood designs from architect, Tadao Andoh.

Leaving the rich artistic heritage of Shikoku, we bullet train to Fukuoka, a multi-faceted city: modern, yet traditional with its 900-year-old temples, festivals, and a history of hand-made arts and crafts that preserve its cultural heritage. On a day’s trip outside Fukuoka, we meet a textile artisan and his family in their family home where they create kurume kasuri, or double ikat, a skill so demanding that only a handful of weavers in three countries around the world are masters of this art form. Another day trip takes us to a 300-year-old mountain pottery village famous for its geometric patterns.

Our highlight is Kyoto, one of the greatest classical cities in the world. Aside from the castles, the city has over 400 Shinto shrines and 1,650 Buddhist temples scattered throughout its regions.

Please inquire about our day-to-day itinerary for more details.

Land/Air Cost

Land price from $10,650 per person sharing a room, includes deluxe hotels or four star.

Comprehensive sightseeing as noted, meal program with a minimum of two meals a day, special guest lecturers and activities, high-speed trains, group gratuities for national guide and any local guide, driver, porters, and transfers. Services of Kathleen Fung as tour director for the main tour, and Tomomi Azumi national guide of Japan. Single Supplement $2000 approximately.

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In Kanazawa Suzanne Ross, a national treasure, invites us to her studio for an introduction to Urushi, which has a 9,000-year history. In Fukui we drop into the 13th-century Eihei-ji Temples where 180 monks meditate, eat, and sleep on a small tatami mat measuring only three by six feet.

We’ve added Shikoku located on the shore of the Seto Inland Sea where we spend three nights at Takamatsu with its splendid Ritsurin Koen, a vast 185-acre Japanese garden dating back to the 17th century.

Our highlight is Kyoto, one of the greatest classical cities in the world. Aside from the castles, the city has over 400 Shinto shrines and 1,650 Buddhist temples scattered throughout its regions.

Land/Air Cost

In Kanazawa Suzanne Ross, a national treasure, invites us to her studio for an introduction to Urushi, which has a 9,000-year history.
In Fukui we drop into the 13th-century Eihei-ji Temples where 180 monks meditate, eat, and sleep on a small tatami mat measuring only three by six feet.